Disaster Recovery News

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After the recent swarm of devastating tornadoes, residents in Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri must prepare for the continuing prediction of storms. The latest tornado to hit the U.S. left 117 known victims in its wake; it is the deadliest tornado in over 60 years. MSNBC reports that about 1,500 are still missing after the recent storm.

Preparing for a Storm

Experts cannot predict the exact time a tornado will hit. Therefore, it is important for you, your family and business to have an emergency plan that you can implement at a moment’s notice. When creating your emergency disaster plan, include the following:

• Know what to do if your family is not together when a storm hits. Include a meet-up spot and instructions for different scenarios. For example, think about what you should do if the kids are at school, a friend’s house or the mall, if you are at work or are out running errands. Each family member should have a list of important phone numbers written down that each person keeps in a wallet or backpack.
• Know the safest location in your house in the event of a tornado warning. Keep a battery-operated radio, flashlight, whistles, safety goggles, first aid kit and your emergency disaster kit near this location. You should have enough whistles for each family member to use to call for help if any get caught under debris.
• Make an emergency disaster kit that includes water, food, medications, important documents, phone numbers, batteries, blankets, disposable camera, first aid kit, cash and pet supplies (if needed). Use this kit in the event that you cannot live in your home after a storm or you need to evacuate.
• If you are a business owner, create a tornado emergency plan and make sure your employees know what to do in the event of a storm. Designate an area of your business as a “safe” area for employees to wait-out a storm and include a battery-operated radio, flashlight, whistles, safety goggles, first aid kit, emergency contact numbers, important documents and the company emergency procedures manual at this location.
• Create a plan to recover. Worry about your possessions well before a storm hits or after, but do not risk your life to protect your belongings during a tornado warning. Keep photo negatives and copies of important documents in a safe location away from your home or business, like a bank’s safety deposit box. If you have not done this and a storm hits, remember that you can restore wet documents and damaged photographs with the help of a disaster recovery company.

Learn more about recovering from a storm.

Business owners are not the only ones who should think about how to be prepared for an emergency at work. The American Red Cross states: “If you commute to work, make sure you know alternative routes and carry appropriate supplies such as a disaster supplies kit in your car and a compact kit on public transportation…The best way to make sure you and your place of business is safe is to be prepared before disaster strikes.”

Even if you do not think you are in a disaster-prone area, many things can happen when least expected. A key thing to remember is that disaster recovery should begin before the disaster for the sake of business continuity. Just like one looks at risks from a financial and economical standpoint, one should also look at them from a physical point of view. Up to 25% of small businesses do not reopen after a major disaster because they were not prepared with a plan. Not making an emergency plan is something your business should not risk. Here are some tips one may wish to include in their business emergency disaster plan:

Keep phone lists of your key employees and customers with you, and provide copies to key staff members.

If you have a voice mail system at your office, designate one remote number on which you can record messages for employees. Provide the number to all employees.

Arrange for programmable call forwarding for your main business line(s). Then, if you can’t get to the office, you can call in and reprogram the phones to ring elsewhere.

If you may not be able to get to your office quickly after an emergency, leave keys and alarm code(s) with a trusted employee or friend who is closer.

Install emergency lights that turn on when the power goes out. They are inexpensive and widely available at building supply retailers.

Back up computer data frequently throughout the business day. Keep a backup tape off site.

Use UL-listed surge protectors and battery backup systems. They will add protection for sensitive equipment and help prevent a computer crash if the power goes out.

Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Keep it on and when the signal sounds, listen for information about severe weather and protective actions to take.

Stock a minimum supply of the goods, materials and equipment you would need for business continuity.

Consult with your insurance agent about precautions to take for disasters that may directly impact your business. Remember, most policies do not cover earthquake and flood damage. Protect valuable property and equipment with special riders. Discuss business continuity insurance with your agent.

Keep emergency supplies handy, including-

• Flashlights with extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Tools.

Food and water for employees and customers to use during a period of unexpected confinement at your business, such as if a tanker truck over-turned nearby and authorities told everyone in the area to stay put for an extended period.

Learn more about developing a disaster plan for your business. Disaster recovery services can help one preserve documents and data, restore damaged documents, rebuild after a fire or water damage, and even deal with mold. Include a disaster recovery service in your business’ emergency plan.